Bill > A10499

This bill establishes expanded construction mentorship opportunities for small, minority, and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs). The key provisions include: 1. Requiring state agencies to identify and establish mentorship opportunities and other business development programs to increase MWBE capacity and prepare them for bidding on state contracts, including instances where there is privity of contract between an MWBE and a subcontractor or contractor working on a state contract. 2. Encouraging mentor-protege relationships between MWBEs and state agencies where there is privity of contract between an MWBE and a subcontractor or contractor working on a state contract. 3. Requiring state agencies, departments, and authorities that have let more than $10 million in service and construction contracts in the prior fiscal year to develop mentor-protege programs to foster long-term relationships between state agencies, approved mentor firms, and small and MWBE businesses. 4. Allowing the state's public authorities to further establish small business mentoring programs between the agency and an MWBE in instances where there is privity of contract between an MWBE and a subcontractor or contractor working on an authority public works contract.